Sonoma County · California
Healdsburg ADU guide: local rules, permits & property planning
Healdsburg offers a multi-department One-Stop Assistance Center and publishes named pre-reviewed plans. Owners can compare a compact layout with site engineering and the City’s size-dependent fee categories before buying drawings.
Local planning guide · Reviewed October 2, 2026
What matters for an ADU in Healdsburg
Permitting authority: City of Healdsburg — ADUs and JADUs
Official local guidanceLocal rules and design checks
| Topic | Local guidance |
|---|---|
| Local maximum | The City describes ADUs up to 1,200 square feet and JADUs up to 500 square feet, subject to the applicable development standards. |
| Conversion permits | A building permit is required even when converting existing space or a garage. |
| Site engineering | Pre-reviewed plans may still need site-specific engineering and soils analysis. |
Selected local requirements, not a complete zoning determination. Confirm the current rules for your address with the responsible agency.
Fees and budget checks
Healdsburg bases building fees on construction valuation. Its page distinguishes school charges from development impact charges and lists smaller-plan exemptions; obtain a current assessment for the precise size, especially at the stated category boundaries.
Healdsburg fee categories and program guidanceHow to start the permit process
Bring the concept to the City’s free One-Stop meeting with Planning, Building, Public Works and Fire. If selecting a pre-reviewed plan, contact its designer and prepare the remaining site-specific documents.
Named plan resource
The Agrarian — 749 square feet
Healdsburg lists Mayberry Workshop’s two-bedroom Agrarian among its pre-reviewed designs. This is a published plan example, not a completed ADU.zone build.
View the original sourceHealdsburg ADU questions
- Can I meet several City departments together?
- The City advertises a free One-Stop Assistance Center meeting with Planning, Building, Public Works and Fire.
- Does a pre-reviewed plan include soils work for my lot?
- The City says site-specific engineering and soils analysis may still be needed.
Sources for this guide
Local sources reviewed October 2, 2026. Historical examples retain their stated dates. Contact ADU California to confirm project availability; this guide does not establish an office location or property approval.
A useful first review
Separate what is available from what still needs verification.
01
Confirm the property
Start with a complete address and review the available parcel, building, and map context.
02
Identify the unknowns
Keep missing setbacks, easements, utilities, access, hazards, and local requirements visible.
03
Choose the next review
Use the preliminary result to prepare a focused conversation with the required professionals and agencies.
Explore project types
Compare the scope before choosing a solution.
These pages explain the questions each project type introduces. They do not assert that a particular scope is permitted or suitable for your address.
Compare planning footprints
See common ADU sizes before choosing a design.
These model pages are planning references only. They are not a statement that a particular size is allowed or buildable at a Healdsburg address.
California directory
Explore more city guides.
The next useful action
Put your address at the center of the conversation.
The online review is preliminary and is not a permit decision, survey, engineering opinion, construction document, final price, or guaranteed schedule.